Formula 1 takes to the track again this weekend and does so with the Spanish Grand Prix. You fly on the Montmelò track, where the tires will be subjected to numerous efforts. For this, let's find out the compounds chosen by Pirelli for the seventh race of the season.
Pirelli, the C1, C2 and C3 in Barcelona
Sul circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya the F1 single-seaters will mount the C1 as P Zero White hard, C2 as P Zero Yellow medium and C3 as P Zero Red soft.
Spanish GP, there are changes on the track
The Montmelò track has undergone an important change to the track. The last chicane of the circuit (curve 14-15), introduced in 2007, it has in fact been removedthus restoring the previous configurationAnd. Other improvements concern the first corner, with a wider run-off area and new barriers. The change to the last variant will make the last sector more streamlined and therefore less harsh on the tires in terms of traction. The left-hand bends are mainly taken at low speed while the right-hand bends are tackled under full acceleration.
Pirelli focuses on the Hard
72% of the Grands Prix on the Catalan circuit were won by the driver who started from pole position. Saturday is therefore crucial to increase the chances of getting on the podium. Last year, Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen used a three-stop strategy in the race. Same choice as most of his opponents too, alternating between Soft and Medium. The introduction of the new Hard could increase the possibilities of its use also in competition.
The importance of aerodynamic efficiency
Traditionally, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of the most challenging of the season, both in terms of cars and tires. It is a complete track, which features types of corners at different speeds and also has a very long straight. Aerodynamic efficiency is the key to being competitive at the highest level. This year the third sector has been modified, returning to the original layout with the elimination of the last chicane, making it much more streamlined and also increasing the entry speed on the main straight. The track has two corners, 3 and 9, which are particularly demanding in terms of the lateral forces exerted on the tyres.
Isola: "Introducing the new C1 compound"
In view of the GP, there was no lack of words from the head of the Motorsport technical area, Mario Isola: “From the point of view of the choice of compounds, we opted for a trio equal to the one used in Bahrain at the start of the championship. Although the nomenclature is identical to that of 2022, it should be considered that this year's C1 is a new compound, specifically developed to reduce the gap between the harder rubber (now called C0) and the C2. On paper, this choice should broaden the options available to the teams in view of the race, considering that last year the Hard was not used by any rider”.
“Two Hard trains are also arriving in view of Silverstone”
"Another novelty this weekend concerns the possibility given to all riders to test in the first two free practice sessions two additional Hard trains with the construction that will be introduced starting from the British Grand Prix. The new specification differs from the current one only in the use of a material, already approved after intense testing work. Its introduction, scheduled for 2024, was advanced in order to make the structure more resistant to fatigue, given that the level of loads generated by the current cars has already reached the targets foreseen for the end of the season after just a few races. The new constructions do not change the technical parameters or the performance of the tyres".
“Finally, iPirelli's work on the Barcelona track will also continue at the beginning of next week with two days of testing, carried out in collaboration with Mercedes and Ferrari, dedicated to the development of compounds and constructions for 2024”.
SOURCE: Pirelli F1 Media
